Birthday Month!

So Hannah and Jaidyn's birthdays are this month. We are planning a joint party for them at Nickelcade which will be tons of fun! If you want to come let me know! I can't believe how fast time is going... I remember just yesterday they seemed to be just newborns and now they're having real conversations with me and Marc and I miss the little cuddly stage. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy them now but I miss the little them.

New Year's was quiet, we stayed home this year as opposed to going to a party. It was fun! Marc and I played games, watched a movie, ate a few snacks and rang in the new year with quiet style. I resolved to just read the Book of Mormon several times, each time reading to find something different. A different focus each time like all the missionary stories, or commandments or just what spoke to me. I'm going to really search, ponder and pray this time and I'm really looking forward to it. I've also resolved to look for more positive things and bring them into my daily life. Not stress out about how the house may look but focus on my children since before too long they won't want me to play with them anymore. I would resolve to lose weight, but that started on Thanksgiving when my world changed. Stress really does a number on my body and I'm already down 10+ pounds and several inches. I'm hoping I can foster that to a more healthy route to lose it though.

I hope you all had a fun new year's and that your 2009 is filled with the best it can offer for you and yours.

Christmas fun!

We had a wonderful Christmas. My mom came up to SLC and stayed the night with us which is always fun to have her especially for the kids. I feel we had a wonderful and humble Christmas this year compared to other years. There were fewer presents but what was there was greatly loved and appreciated. Marc was given a gift certificate that we donated to help a family who we knew were in desperate need. I think in the next couple years I want to go serve meals on Christmas instead of receive. I always love helping others where and when I can even if it's not much. Here's the tree before the kids got up... We didn't take any pics while opening since it added to the humbleness in our opinion. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas too. Much love!

Snow fun!

Well, yesterday Utah County and further north of us got pounded with snow and we got nothing! NADA except our snow melted a bit. So in light of no snow and actually being upset about it I am posting some pictures we took last week when it snowed a lot. This was my birthday on the 18th. The kids loved it and I think I got some fun pictures.... Enjoy!

And MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Please remember the real reason why we celebrate, because of our Savior Jesus Christ and His life and sacrifice.

Hannah lost her FIRST TOOTH!

Hannah lost her first tooth on Tuesday night. Marc and I thought she'd love one of the High School Musical barbies we got for her instead of money for her first tooth only. From now on Hannah will get a gold coin for her teeth. She was so sweet when she woke up and found her gift from the tooth fairy... I'm so proud of Hannah and how much she's changing and turning into a little woman. She's an amazing little girl and I'm honored to be her mother.

BEFORE:


AFTER:

This week so far...

Well, I thought we'd just be busy this week with lot's of fun filled activities but it turns out to have been a bit more than that.

On Wednesday morning my phone rang and I answered a call from the DCFS caseworker regarding Shaylee. She proceeded to tell me Shaylee was cleared to go home that very day and that I was to call her mother to let her know when I'd be able to. Well, in complete shock I hung up the phone and shared the news with Marc... We were both in shock! Shaylee going home? We had already purchased tickets for the dinner with Santa at the Zoo so I called her mom and told her we'd have her home after we were done there. She was breathless and so excited to have her daughter home. I must admit, I was happy to have her go home but at the same time I was a bit sad for her. I know Shaylee loved going to church with us and really enjoyed primary. She had never been before and I know she need it so much right now. I hope the seeds we planted with her will grow somehow through her own will. I also hope she'll be safe from the troubles that have haunted her little life and I trust that God has her in His hands. He always has so far. So, we went to the Zoo and had a great time there and Santa was great, he took a lot of time talking to each child which I know they loved. We love Shaylee and will miss her dearly.
Here are our pics from that night.

No real news!

So, I don't have any real news to share or a cool story to write as well, but I thought I'd just write and say things are good so far.
Marc had his office party on Saturday and that was fun, white elephant gifts are always fun to exchange. There was yummy food too!
My mom graciously watched the kids from Friday to Sunday and Marc and I had a great weekend alone. We celebrated my birthday a little early and went to dinner, slept till noon (LOL), and had some good talks. Thank you mom!!!
This week is filled with fun stuff, Tues., is Marc's last final so school will be done until next semester. Wednesday we're having dinner with Santa at the Zoo then checking out the lights they put up around the zoo. The kids have no idea that's what we're doing and I'm so excited! Thursday is my b-day and Marc took some of his vacation days he had left so he'll be off Thurs. and Friday. Also on Thurs. my friend Winter is getting married so we'll go to her reception. Then Friday we're visiting Temple Square and listening to my mom's choir sing too. It will be lot's of fun this week!
I hope today's adventures don't dictate how the rest of the week will go... A pipe broke by one of the other apartment buildings in our complex so we have no water right now. I hope it doesn't take long!
Take care all of you who read my blog! Thank you for stopping by!

My Blog is Fabulous!

Thank you Amanda for this Fabulous Blog award! I wish I could make it better daily....

Here are my "Fabulous" favorite blog sites!

1. Tara's dating and single life blog-- I love your humor and honesty you express in your stories you post.

2. The Snell family blog--I love reading about her adventures with her family. She's someone I'm just getting to know and love learning more about her through the blog. She also has the cutest sons!

3. Fun girls hair-do's blog-- I love the new ideas I've learned from this site and have tried many of the hair styles she does. I think all of you with girls should check out this site! She's amazing!

4.My Friend Jessica Grimes blog--I love your honesty and how you just put things nicely when you're expressing yourself. I love to read your posts so keep them coming!

5. My Friend Aimee's blog-- She has the cutest kids and I love reading about her adventures with them.
Alright on to my five fabulous addictions:

1. My husband... Even though we're struggling right now, I find myself addicted to his presence in the home. He is so much fun to be around and always makes me laugh even when I'm so mad at him. Thank you...

2. Mt. Dew! It seems like I can't get enough of it even though I know how bad it is for me! I really try to limit myself though...

3. Reading. It really takes me away especially if it's a scary book. I curl up with my big blanket and a good drink and let myself escape.

4. The Internet. It totally amazes me every day! I can watch episodes of my favorite shows, blog, look up an address, ask any question, chat with my friends and family, go shopping, read scriptures, almost anything almost instantly.

5. My family... I love spending as much time as I can with my children. I get to be a stay at home mom and I love how much time that affords me to be with them and be in awe everyday. They really teach me more than I teach them.

Alright ladies, here are the rules to receiving this award:

1. You have to pass it on to 5 other fabulous blogs in a post.
2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.
3. You must copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post.Instructions:On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them. When you post your five winners, make sure you link them as well. To add the award to your post, simply right-click, save image, then "add image" it in your post as a picture so your winners can save it as To add it to your sidebar, add the "picture" gadget. Also, don't forget to let your winners know they won an award from you by emailing them or leaving a comment on their blog.Now get to it I can't wait to see your creativity in recreating your own blog awards!

Life's Adventures Tag Game!!

What I've done is BOLD

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped (does that one ride at lagoon count?)
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch-hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy Rainbow Bright doll and my cabbage patch doll.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (does watching my parents count?)
88. Had chicken pox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

I tag Amanda, Aimee, and Jessica G!

Sunday Thoughts...

Recently I've been in a very thoughtful mood which has made me come to a few realizations...

Marc and I were talking last night about my past and the blessings that came from wrong decisions and I realized just how much Heavenly Father led me through some hard times so I could see the light. This story I'm about to tell is very special to me and if you read you'll know more about me than most do...

When I was 17 I found myself pregnant and not married... I was scared, horrified, humiliated and didn't know what to do. In December of that year...(95), my mom took me to the Forgotten Carols which was held at my high school before it was held in a bigger place. I watched and really enjoyed the presentation... I didn't know what I was in for when the end came and he sang some of his famous songs. One in particular hit me the most... Michale McLean sat at the piano playing the top hand to a song over and over... Then he paused, put his head down, began playing again and said, "there's someone here tonight who is going through a hard time and needs to know their Heavenly Father loves them, and they know who they are." Then he began to sing "Hold On, The Light Will Come". I cried listening to the words and thought to myself how special for that person and what a great song... I walked to the car with my mom wanting to cry and also still feeling happy for that person who had been sung to.
Christmas came and we opened the few gifts under the tree, my mom pulled out one small gift that said, "To Heather, Love Santa." I opened the gift and found Michael McLean's CD inside with the words, "Heather I have a special message for you inside." I opened the CD and with tears in my eyes read the words, "Heather, Hold On, Hold On, the light WILL come eventually. Your Friend, Michael.".
I looked at my mom and cried and cried. I asked my mom if this was her doing, if she had asked him to sign a CD for her and whatnot and she replied no. She began to tell me that one day when she got home from work there was a small package at the front door of our house. She took it inside and waited for Christmas to see what it was. That Christmas day so many years ago I knew without a doubt that my Heavenly Father knew who I was and knew what I needed at that very moment. Michael McLean had listened to inspiration at that moment and had found where I lived so I could know I wasn't alone and that I was loved by more than I knew.
Eventually I placed my little daughter and it was the hardest thing I had ever done to that date, but now I know I did the right thing. She is truly happy and has the perfect mother and father and I don't regret for one moment not having her as mine. The moment I saw her little face in the hospital, the thought hit me she wasn't mine and that she was meant for someone else. I love her and her parents very much. When ever this time of the year comes around I always remember that Christmas so many years ago and the new course my life took so many years ago. I love my Savior very much and am proud of who I have become today. I've done many things I'm not proud of in my life, but I'm proud of what they've helped me become.

Merry Christmas my friends and don't forget what Christmas is all about, our Savior, His life and His sacrifice for us all.

What a week...

Well, things have calmed down a bit and I'm very grateful for that. But... Friday Jaidyn came down with the croup which passed on to Hannah and then Shaylee which turned into Strep!! Now, I'm getting a little throat bug and I think it's because of my stress level being up and my immunity system being down. So, now the girls are on antibiotics and we're up several times a night with a chorus of coughs... Can you hear it now? This proves there's humor to be found no matter our situation in life.

Here's to wishing me luck in the battle of the sickos!

Again thank you to all my friends out there for your support and kind words.